Running is Simple?

The beauty of running is in its purity and simplicity. Put on clothes, put some shoes on, and sprint away like a golden retriever puppy. I guess if that was the case you would have to lose the clothes, and if you were like some mind blowing descendants of hobbits, you would lose the shoes too.

At its core it is so simple and freeing to move by your own means, throughout the world. But what you learn as you care more and more about running is that it has nearly incomprehensible nuances that grip hold of your soul and shape the way you live. Or at least you learn that the amount of clothes you wear and the shoes on your feet is subject to a whole lot of differing opinions.

I argue that the beauty of running only begins with its simplicity and expands as it intertwines with who you are. I have been running for a relatively short time, but it is 90% of what I think about. The other 10% is filled with cute puppy videos, the Lord of the Rings, and my job every once in a while.

Runners are so obsessive about running because our lives are structured around this meaningless, hard, freeing, vulnerable sport. If I run for an hour, that requires at least a three hour time commitment: 1 to eat and prep, 1 to run, 1 to recover, do “core” (giggle at instagram reels) eat some more, shower sometimes, and put real clothes on. I mean I took a bath today! I never take baths! (but I really should. It was incredible). Sleep is a priority for me (8:30pm and I am out). I eat with recovery, fuel, and joy in mind. I drink protein smoothies, and I buy my own torture devices to “help” my sore muscles.

Now most of this is not entirely necessary to enjoy running (except for the food thing, eat lots always) and not entirely new. Everyone who cares deeply about anything can see how it shapes your life, and wiggles its way into your being

Running for me is more than the act. It's the shape of my day, the joy, the pain, and the desire. It's the shape of me.